SITE SEEING

“When kids have trouble understanding Aquatic Ecosystems or are stuck on a homework question about Division Equations, where do they turn?” Scholastic invites students in grades three through six to turn to its learning site, where the most challenging math and science topics are explained using animated videos, karaoke songs, interactive tutorials, quizzes and more.

HOT TOPIC

“Ni Hao Kai-lan,” is the name of Nick Jr.'s new animated series, launching Thursday to coincide with the first day of the Chinese New Year. The half-hour series will teach preschoolers Mandarin Chinese words and phrases. It also features an intergenerational family and, through a 5-year-old Chinese-American girl, Kai-lan, the series explores the colorful aspects of her upbringing and background, her relationships with her family and friends and the world around her.

WHAT'S HAPPENIN'

Students going into grades nine through 12 are invited to learn about the application and audition process for the Coronado School of the Arts (CoSA), an award-winning performing arts school on the campus of Coronado High School. Free workshops will be held at the school from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday. Staff and teachers will walk you through the audition process and offer free workshops to aspiring dancers, actors, artists, musicians, playwrights, technicians and other creative types, as well as enable prospective students to meet and mingle with CoSA staff and families. Application materials will be available at the event. For more information, call (619) 522-4050 or visit cosa.coronado.k12.ca.us or cosafoundation.org.

If you are caring for an older family member or loved one, you are invited to a free caregivers seminar 9-11:30 a.m. Feb. 10 at the Jewish Family Service-Turk Family Center, 8804 Balboa Ave., San Diego. Registration: jfssd.org or (858) 637-3040.

DIDJA KNOW?

Junior Achievement and Deloitte have launched their annual “Excellence Through Ethics” essay contest, where high school seniors can apply their knowledge of ethical decision-making and share their views on the importance of ethics in business. To enter, students must compose an original essay of 500 words or less in response to an ethical dilemma. Find that and all the rules and details on Junior Achievement's Web site – ja.org. Entries must be submitted online and will be accepted until March 28.

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Many people have a hard time answering the most basic questions about their personal finances and retirement plans, the folks at AARP say. “With Social Security in crisis, knowing such information can go a long way in helping plan for the future.” To that end, you are invited to take AARP's financial literacy quiz and find out what you do – and don't – know about personal finance. Visit aarp.org/bulletin/interactive/money_for_life_quiz.html to get started.

JUST A THOUGHT

“Freedom is not an ideal, it is not even a protection, if it means nothing more than the freedom to stagnate.”

– ADLAI E. STEVENSON (1900-1965), AMERICAN STATESMAN
Courtesy of Thought of the Day Archives at refdesk.com

UNDER THE COVERS

During Black History Month, we'll highlights books worth a look

“Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales” (W.W. Norton, $16.95) is a collection edited by Mandela because, as he writes in the book's foreword, “It is my wish that the voice of the storyteller may never die in Africa, that all the children of the world may experience the wonder of books.” This big, colorful paperbound book celebrating classic stories can be read aloud or enjoyed silently.

“Follow the Drinking Gourd” by Jeanette Winter (Alfred A. Knopf, $17.99) is 20 years old this year and has been reissued in hardback to remember and celebrate the map to freedom that slaves saw hidden in the lyrics of a simple folk song. The words pointed men and women and children to the “drinking gourd” – the Big Dipper – and an escape route called the Underground Railroad, which would lead them north to Canada.